Three Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency players called up to Canadian men's U-16 camp in Qatar

The Canadian Soccer Association announced today that three Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency players have been called up to the Canadian men's U-16 team for a second camp of the year under head coach Rob Gale.

In April and May, the team took part in the Torneo delle Nazioni in Italy and now they’ll get two games while training at the Aspire Academy in Qatar’s capital, Doha.

After arriving into Doha on Friday, the team will get two days of training in prior to their first game of the camp against the academy team of German club Borussia Moenchengladbach on Monday, December 9.

After that game they’ll get one more day of training and recovery before their second and final game of the camp against the hosts from Aspire on December 11.

“This is an opportunity for our sports science team to research and learn and of course most importantly the second camp with the [players born in or after] 97s of the year to build on some of the successes and move our game model forward from Italy in April,” said Gale.

“With a core group of the players returning and some new players in the pool coming on with a chance to impress - we thoroughly look forward to the challenging games in Qatar and for the entire experience it will bring and the relationships we will build there.”

The current U-16 group is part of Canada’s long-term preparations as they’re building towards the next round of men’s U-20 competitions.